Taxes in Whatcom County

Tax Hotline

Not sure where to start with your taxes or which site is the best to meet your needs? Let us help guide you through the process. Please note that we cannot offer tax advice.

Email taxes@oppco.org, or call 360-746-0100 | Messages returned within 2 business days

File your taxes for free in-person

Have your taxes filed for free at a local, IRS certified, tax site.

First Congregational Church, 2401 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham.

  • Monday-Wednesday, 3:00-6:30. Saturdays 12:00-4:00
  • One-on-one tax assistance, walk-in only.
  • Open to all taxpayers regardless of income or age.
  • Spanish interpretation available on Saturdays.
  • Call (360) 474-7066 for more detailed information and to hear schedule updates.

Parks Hall 047, WWU campus. Flyer here.

  • Monday-Wednesday, 4:30-7:30
  • One-on-one and facilitated self assist tax preparation available.
  • Focused on serving the students of Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College.

8251 Kendall Road, Maple Falls

  • Appointments are recommended but not required.
  • One-on-one tax assistance. A second appointment for final review will be made once taxes are completed.
  • Call (360) 599-3944 or stop by during open hours for more information or to make an appointment.
  • Hours:  9:00-12:00 & 1:00-4:00 Monday – Wednesday, & Friday. Thursdays 12:00-7:00.

File your taxes for free online

File your taxes online by utilizing a free tax software program or fillable forms.

A free online tax filing program through Code for America and the IRS. File on your own or get your taxes filed for you by a virtual IRS certified preparer. Available to taxpayers with income below $79,000. Get started at GetYourRefund.org

File for free on your own or get your taxes filed with virtual assistance from an IRS certified preparer. Available to taxpayers with income below $79,000. Visit myfreetaxes.org to get started. 

IRS Free File lets you prepare and file your federal income tax online for free. File at an IRS partner site with the IRS Free File Program or use Free File Fillable Forms.

Beginning in March 2024, the IRS will be piloting Direct File, a new service for taxpayers to file directly with the IRS online for free. Direct File will be available in English and in Spanish. Find out more information about the pilot here.

Things You Should Know for the 2024 Tax Season

Important updates and information about tax credits you may be eligible to claim.

People living in Washington can get up to $1,255 cash back through the new Working Families Tax Credit. Applications for the 2024 tax filing season open February 1st, 2024. Learn more, check if you qualify, and submit an application at workingfamiliescredit.wa.gov

If you work and have a low to moderate income, you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. If you qualify, the credit could lower the amount of tax you owe the government, or give you a larger refund. To qualify, you have to meet a list of requirements, and have to file a tax return with the IRS, even if you don’t owe taxes for the year.

Use the EITC Assistant to see if you qualify, or learn more from the IRS here.

The Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children get a tax break. You may be able to claim the credit even if you don’t normally file a tax return. You can claim the Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child who has a Social Security number.

To be a qualifying child for the 2023 tax year, your dependent generally must:

  • Be under age 17 at the end of the year
  • Be your son, daughter, stepchild, eligible foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half-brother, half-sister, or a descendant of one of these (for example, a grandchild, niece or nephew)
  • Provide no more than half of their own financial support during the year
  • Have lived with you for more than half the year
  • Be properly claimed as your dependent on your tax return
  • Not file a joint return with their spouse for the tax year or file it only to claim a refund of withheld income tax or estimated tax paid
  • Have been a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or U.S. resident alien

You qualify for the full amount of the 2023 Child Tax Credit for each qualifying child if you meet all eligibility factors and your annual income is not more than $200,000 ($400,000 if filing a joint return).

Parents and guardians with higher incomes may be eligible to claim a partial credit.

Use our Interactive Tax Assistant to check if you qualify.

Learn more about how to claim this credit here.

Additional Tax Supports

Tax information can be hard to understand in any language. It can be even harder if that information isn’t offered in the language you know best. The IRS is working to translate tax resources into more languages, and is now offering basic tax information in 20 different languages

Find answers to your tax questions from the safety of your home using IRS online tools and resources. These IRS.gov tools are easy to use and available 24 hours a day. Find more information here

It’s FREE!

  • The average tax return costs $240 but can range between $100 and $600, according to a 2014 Government Accountability study
  • No one’s offering you costly loan products with hidden fees

It’s ACCURATE!

  • IRS Certified Free Tax Prep Sites have a 94% Accuracy Rate
  • Paid Tax Preparers have a 40% accuracy rate according to the IRS. This could mean more money owed or not getting your full refund

Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITC) assist low income individuals who have a tax dispute with the IRS, and provide education and outreach to individuals who speak English as a second language (ESL). Learn more here.

Learn the warning signs and recovery steps for tax identity theft here

With $30,000 in prizes and 102 chances to win, SaveYourRefund gives Americans big incentives to save part of their tax refund